One of New South Wales' most historic roads is set for an overhaul, with the Australian Government committing $100 million for safety works on Bells Line of Road.

The funding will allow for safety upgrades, such as overtaking lanes, making for a safer journey for the thousands of locals and tourists who use the scenic route between the Blue Mountains and Richmond each day.

Stretching from Richmond in the east to Bell in the west, the road was heavily impacted by extreme weather in March 2021 and subsequent bouts of record rainfall.

SUSAN TEMPLEMAN, MEMBER FOR MACQUARIE: I am Susan Templeman, the Federal Member for Macquarie. And it is lovely to have the Premier, the Prime Minister, the State Roads Minister and my Hawkesbury State Member here. And we are not even in the middle of a disaster. It is wonderful to be here to talk about something really positive. And that is continuing to improve the safety of this very key road that runs behind us, the Bells Line of Road. So, I'm delighted that we are able to do something positive for a community that has a lot of heavy trucks that use this road.

The Australian Government is fast-tracking its commitment to upgrade one of the nation’s busiest highways, accelerating $80 million in funding to the Pacific Highway – Wyong Town Centre project.

The contribution will help the NSW Government to expedite delivery of this priority project on the Central Coast.

The $420 million project will upgrade the Pacific Highway through Wyong, duplicating the highway between Johnson Road and Cutler Drive.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thank you for welcoming us here. And to the men and women of the Second Royal Pacific Island Regiment, I want to say thank you for welcoming us here, myself as the Australian Prime Minister and my delegation, the Minister Pat Conroy and Senator Nita Green who travelled with me on this occasion along with our High Commissioner and other Australian representatives. We have earlier this morning travelled from Port Moresby to Wewak in order, firstly, to pay our respects and to pay our tribute to Michael Somare through his family here in Wewak.

The Albanese Government is turbocharging Australia’s green hydrogen industry, with a $70 million investment to support the development of a hydrogen hub in Townsville.

The Government will today release guidelines for the competitive Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub program, which will deliver $70 million towards projects that accelerate the development of a hydrogen industry in North Queensland

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks very much for joining us. And it's fantastic to be back here in Townsville for this important announcement. Firstly, given I am in Townsville, can I give a shout-out to the men and women of the Fifth Aviation Regiment, who are currently in Fitzroy Crossing, along with their five helicopters? I visited Fitzroy Crossing at the beginning of this week with the Premier, Mark McGowan. They're doing it really, really tough.

HOST: Yes, the Prime Minister of Australia, the very popular Anthony Albanese joins the show. Hello, Prime Minister. Happy New Year.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Happy New Year to you both.

HOST: We are so happy that you have wanted to come on our show. So, how long have you been Prime Minister now? Can you remember?

PRIME MINISTER: I can, indeed. Since May 21 last year. And so, it's been a very, very busy seven months.

HOST: I'm going to have to interrupt you here. Because we've got the biggest of the biggest. I argued before that this man might be very busy. So, I think we're very honoured to welcome this guy.

HOST: Who is this? Who is it? Hello?

HOST: Who have we got on the phone? Hello?

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER:Hello. Welcome back to Triple M and welcome to Sydney, Mick.

HOST: It is the PM.

We are saddened to hear about the death of Senator Jim Molan AO DSC and send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues on this difficult day.

Senator Molan has been a fierce advocate for the people of New South Wales in this Parliament since his election to the Senate in 2017. During that time he contributed vigorously to the national security debate, a contribution many will remember for years to come.

Senator Molan is also remembered for his four decades of service to this country in the Australian Army.

CHRIS KENNY, HOST: Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister, welcome. And thanks for joining me on Chris Kenny tonight. I want to start off, if I can, by asking you to share your thoughts on the passing of Liberal Senator, retired Major-General, Jim Molan. A great Australian?